I have decided to take the SUPER PLUNGE!!!!!  On February  23rd and 24th, 2006  starting at 1:00PM, MY WIFE, WENDY AND I,  WILL PLUNGE OURSELVES INTO THE ICY LAKE MICHIGAN WATER ONCE AN HOUR FOR 24 HOURS STRAIGHT!!   WE ARE DOING THIS IN SUPPORT OF OUR SON COLE, WHO HAS DOWN SYNDROME.  WE ARE ALSO DOING THIS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR OVER 20,000 SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETES IN ILLINOIS! 

On September 13th, 2000, our son Cole was born.  Cole was our first child and the anticipation of his arrival was so very exciting.  The first time we were able to hold his little body, our love flowed, but something did not seem right.  Just as fast as we were able to love and rejoyce in our new child, he was swept away by the medical team.  Some time later, this same team came back to Wendy's room, without Cole.  The told us Cole had Down Syndrome and he would be mentally disabled for life.  As if clockwork, they started listing the things Cole wouldn't be able to do.  He'll have trouble learning, he'll have trouble living, he'll need therapy, he'll have low muscle tone, he'll have heart problems, etc.  How can a group of "highly educated" medical people take away such joy by professing the future of our new born son?   At Cole's birth, both of us as brand new parents were enveloped with negativity.  The questions then began: "Why Cole?"  Why us?"   The staff at the hospital and others kept making the comment "I'm so sorry about Cole."  What were they sorry about?   At that time we were both emotionally and physically weak from the thought of the new road we were about to travel with our new son, Cole. 

Cole had a rough start.  He had both respitory and heart concerns when he was born.  Cole spent the first 10 days of his life in a hospital.  2.5 of those days, he was intibated and connected to a ventilator.  We spent most every possible hour at Cole's bedside in the NICU unit celebrating every little milestone to a healthy baby.  Being in the NICU unit made us count our blessings because Cole was one of the strongest and healthiest babies in the unit.  I remember talking alone with Cole while he was intibated in a "bubble" thing.  I pledged to him that he was strong, I would be a good dad to him, and his mother and I would do everything possible to give him a fulfilling life full of happiness and opportunities.

"God picked Cole for you."  As Cole started to grow, this phrase replaced "I'm sorry."  Wendy is a special education teacher and I am a police officer.  Before Cole was born, we were both introduced to the Law Enforcement Torch Run's Polar Bear Plunge at Lake Bluff a year before Cole was born.  At that time, the Polar Bear Plunge was a good time and was "the right thing to do."  Once Cole was born, participating in the Law Enforcement Torch Run seemed like something I HAD to do.  It became my life mission.  I will NEVER cease my efforts for this worthwhile cause that has taught my family so much about life. 

The Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Illinois give Wendy and I hope.  Through the Torch Run, we have had the chance to network with other parents and we have meet numerous athletes doing incredible things.  This at the least has been VERY therapeutic to us.  It taught us that people with mental disabilities and their families can lead very healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. 

CHECK OUT A VIDEO WENDY COMPILED ABOUT COLE AND OUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN AND SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbl2nxa0_FA

IN EARLY 2007, CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES DETAILING MY CHARITY EBAY AUCTIONS.  LOCAL ARTIST MARK SCHMUDDE HAS AGREED TO PAINT LOGOS UPON MY BODY FOR THE WINNING BIDDERS.  TO CHECK OUT MARK'S WORK, SEE HIS SITE AT http://www.artnfx2.com/  OR YOU CAN SEE HIS MYSPACE PAGE AT http://www.myspace.com/intofx  

PLEASE SUPPORT US IN OUR QUEST TO RAISE $5000 FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS.  DONATING IS EASY AND IS 100% SECURE.  IF YOU CHOOSE TO DONATE OFFLINE, YOUR DONATION WILL BE NOTATED ON THIS WEBSITE. 

If you wish to send me a check (payable to Special Olympics Illinois) send it to

Joliet Police Department

Attn: Ofc. Dwayne English #304

150 W Washington

Joliet, Il 60432

Thanks again!!!!!!!!!

Donations Received Offline

John Panizzo JPD     $20.00

Nick Amelio JPD     $50.00

Sonia Little     $20.00

Jim Powers JPD     $25.00

Mark Lauer JPD     $20.00

Art Vandergrift JPD     $10.00

Peggy Thomas - City of Joliet     $20.00

Tony Lakota - JPD     $50.00

Penny Slack     $25.00

Kari Bus - JPD     $100.00

Mike & Susan Kljaich - JPD     $25.00

Jim Albritton - JPD     $25.00

Larry Collins - JPD - $25.00

David Giagnoni     $20.00

Mike & Tille Schnetzler     $25.00

Larry & Laurie Whitmore     $25.00

Opie - JPD     $5.00

Al Roechner - JPD     $30.00

John Sullivan - City Of Joliet     $25.00

Paul & Vicki Martell - $25.00

Farmington Central Jr High - $100.00  GO FARMERS!!!!!

Spring Realty  - Sue Wilson - $250.00

Janice Rogers - $25.00

Bob Kerwin - JPD     $25.00

Holly Kerwin - $25.00

John Kerwin - $25.00

Gordie Corp - JPD     $25.00

JPD NOPT - $165.00  YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Minarich Graphics & Supplies -  $150.00

Mr. Submarine Joliet (Andy Fitros) - $100.00

Jim Roolf - $250.00

Bill Fitzgerald - $100.00

Robert & Debra Owens - $100.00